European Parliament President Martin Schulz has expressed the body’s support of ongoing UN backed talks for the reunification of Cyprus and his firm belief that Cyprus can become a beacon of peaceful co-existence and cooperation between communities of different ethnic and religious origins.
In a video message at the 11th Cyprus Economist conference Schulz conveyed a clear political message.
The EU, he stressed, “is investing considerably in the current UN-brokered negotiations for the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus question.”
“We are closely following the negotiations and it is my firm belief that Cyprus can become a beacon of peaceful co-existence and cooperation between communities of different ethnic and religious origins,” he pointed out.
According to the President of the European Parliament “the reunified, Federal Cyprus can prove a model country for the entire turbulent region of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.”
Europe more than ever, Schulz pointed out “is in dire need of Cyprus fulfilling in the best possible way its destined role of a political and geographic bridge in the region.”
He further personally appealed to both leaders, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to “grasp the momentum and spare no effort in quickly reaching a political agreement for the reunification of Cyprus.”
“I am hopeful that with the genuine good will of both leaders, and the solid support of the Cypriot civil society it is feasible to have a success story in Cyprus,” he said.
At the same time he noted that “a reunified Federal Cyprus based on the principles upon which the EU is founded is the best guarantee for a bright and prosperous future for all European Cypriot citizens.”
Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN backed talks resumed in May aiming to reunify the island under a federal roof
(Source: CNA)
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